Thank you for your response. I'm in a place where I search out the truth not just in scripture but by the Christians that I have relationships with. I find sometimes I see my gifts in others, there fore I feel a connection to those in Christ. the paradigm I struggle with has to do with a fellow who joined our church and small group a few months ago. A lady who I completely respect and care about as a fellow Christian told me she was moved by the Holy Spirit to help this man. So, I trusted her with this. I have put my faith in God/Jesus in helping this fellow with housing, furniture, and much more. Over the past few weeks I've spent time with him because of my desire to know this Christian who states he follows scripture, faith in everything he does. I watched him do many things that were sinful in actions with no regard for conscience/shame or anything. When I asked him about his actions in a very compassionate way. he quoted scripture that states "all have come short of the glory of God". This makes no sense to me. When I even think about doing something not right my conviction stops me in my tracks. So, my paradigm is I feel like I'm missing something from my faith. I love Jesus/God with all my mind, all my strength, and all my might. I have been given many gifts by the spirit and spread the news of Jesus to many people. Yet, something doesn't seem right. There fore my conflict with ME is where does my faith start and end in this journey.
Sin, Deception, Love, Wisdom:
Humans are a fallen race, sinners by nature.
Perhaps God wants you to learn to be prudent, and wise, rather than being naive.
The act of loving others does not require us to be abused, or to forego setting boundaries to protect ourselves.
We are to love people while also seeing them as they are, and being wise and prudent.
A good place to start in all of this, is to start with a definition of love.
What does it really mean to love others?
Is love the same word as trust?
No.
A good biblical definition of love is: "To desire another person's highest good."
We should desire the best thing for another person.
What is the best thing, the highest good?
It is that a person come to know Christ, and come to walk with Christ.
Does that definition include giving a person whatever they want, or believing everything they say, or explicitly trusting them?
No.
You can completely DISTRUST someone, while still desiring their highest good, which is to come to know Christ.
I suggest you spend some time in the book of Proverbs... it gives us lessons on practical wisdom.
God Bless.
.
.